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[matadorable]

If you're hearing this message, I am probably not here. Or I am furiously pressing every button I can because I forgot how this thing works. One of the two! Either way, I will get back to you...eventually.

Comments

Audio;

[matadorable]

[It's okay, Kaneda, he'll just find your accept charming. There's a smile in his voice when he answers.]

Great! When will you be here?

Audio;

[rassera]

Shouldn't take me too long, I know the way there like the back of my hand by now.

[Seriously with all the trips he's been making to this house...you all conveniently live together.]

Won't keep you waiting.

Audio;

[matadorable]

[The imPort community sure feels small like that sometimes!]

I will leave the door unlocked for you, so...feel free to let yourself in. See you soon!

Action;

[rassera]

[Without further ado, Kaneda heads out the door, throwing on that jacket of his and getting onto his bike. It won't take long, given how often he's stopped by that house by now (and surprisingly only met Minato.

Small world.

The drive to the Porter only takes about five or ten minutes, and from there, just a short walking distance to the house. Fatigue from the night before still aches in his legs. The bruise on his stomach still hasn't faded, and the cuts scabbed over, but still irritated him. Hopefully Manolo could help with that.

There's soft hesitation while he steps up to the door, reaching and turning the knob to walk in.]

Oi, Manolo!

You here?

Action;

[matadorable]

[Up until now, Manolo's been sitting in his room, doing some warm-ups with his guitar, which was why he gave Kaneda permission to enter on his own -- he wasn't confident he'd hear him knocking.

Once that voice reaches his ears, though, Manolo doesn't waste any time getting up from his bed and going to meet his guest with a warm smile.]

Hey! I'm glad you made it here okay.

[You know...since he's a magnet for trouble and all.]

Action;

[rassera]

[A two fingered salute to that comment--because honestly, after the couple of days he's had, he wouldn't be in any position to really disagree.]

Safe and sound.

Better than you imagined, right?

[Meaning his injuries--because after that little stunt...he's sure he's got the reputation for punching bag by now.]

Action;

[matadorable]

A little, yeah. [He won't lie, he sort of expected someone like Kaneda to have a skewed idea of what constituted "not so bad", so Manolo is pleasantly surprised in this case.]

It still looks uncomfortable, though. You wanna lie or sit down somewhere? Both my room and the living room are fine, but we're probably less likely to get interrupted in my room.

[It feels like people are constantly coming and going, mostly on account of Jaime being so friendly and sociable. Manolo doesn't have a problem with it, but it does make him think twice about trying to heal someone out in the open.]

Action;

[rassera]

[Kaneda lifts up his shirt, leaning over to check the damage from the Tetsuo's bullet. If you looked at it without knowledge of what happened, it'd look a lot like he just got punched in the stomach pretty badly. There's purple and black all around the area, and definitely tender to the touch. But other than that...nothing.]

Tell me about it.

[Dropping his shirt back down, he gestures.]

Lead the way! Didn't even know you lived -here-...small world.

Action;

[matadorable]

[Manolo can't stop from wincing when he sees what's left of that wound. Well...they'd be taking care of it soon enough, at least, and then Kaneda wouldn't have to worry about that anymore.

With that in mind, he guides his guest back toward his room.]

Yeah, it's been a pretty busy house, especially lately! [What with a new roommate, and then Ken coming to stay for a little while.

Since he knew someone was coming over, he actually took the time to straighten up, so his bed is properly made and everything. There's an old recliner, too (one a student had recently handed over to him), so at least Kaneda has some options of where to settle down.]

Okay, sit wherever is most comfortable for your injuries, and make yourself at home!

Action;

[rassera]

I know the feeling.

[Nonah 05 was a lot like it--busy, and always had people coming and going. It somewhat felt like an inn, sometimes, and when it was quiet (like now), it almost seemed so foreign. He follows Manolo into his room, looking at the well-made bed and the chair, deciding to take the bed and sitting right at the edge of it. The chair was probably better, but beds gave more breathing room for his own personal space needs.]

Alright, let's see this song of healing!

Action; also I apologize for actual disney princess Manolo Sanchez

[matadorable]

Alright. Just relax. [He grins, although it's tinged with a little bit of nervousness. Kaneda's never listened to him sing before, and he's always anxious to hear what new people will think of it.

But Manolo knows what he needs to do. Having warmed up already, it doesn't take long for some light chords to float through the room, forming an upbeat melody with a definite ranchera flare to it as Manolo channels his encouragement for Kaneda, along with his desire to see his injuries get better, into each and every note. Someone with more modern sensibilities might be vaguely reminded of this song.

♫He softly sings to Kaneda, telling him not to worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be alright. Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be alright...

Rise up this morning, smile with the rising sun, three little birds pitch by their doorstep...♫

Manolo laughs a little as a couple of birds, attracted by the sound coming through the glass set, actually settle down on the windowsill.

♫...The birds were singing sweet songs, of melodies pure and true, saying this is their message to you, Kaneda...singing, "Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be alright..."♫]

Action; I'm making this as Disney as possible just for that

[rassera]

[There's a breath out, completely putting his muscles at ease while Manolo prepares himself. True, he'd never heard Manolo sing, it came with the feeling of hearing something for the first time. Because when he strums that guitar, it's like those ears metaphorically perk up, eyes widening. He's never heard a guitar like this...or played with that kind of tune.

It's like when a dog hears a new sound, their heads tilting to locate it and process it.

He...really likes this. Manolo's accent and style give it flare, something his own. A lot like his bike and his clothes, a lot like his gang in general, Manolo's music was something personalized by him. And with lyrics like that, SUNG like that, it's hard not to really believe what he's saying.

Manolo's power at work? Possibly.

He can feel the soreness on his stomach start to alieviate, going from a constant throbbing to a dull ache, and then to something barely noticable. And all he had to do was listen to a piece of music.

Is that a smile on his face? You bet it is.]

[dormition]

[For Christmas in Heropa 015, Minato leaves a plate of Santa strawberries on the dining table with a note telling everyone to take some. There's also a small pile of presents beside it, all wrapped in iridescent dark blue paper with silver ribbons, and name tags for each of his housemates.

Manolo and Joaquin share a present: a CD of modern Spanish guitar music by Andre Feriante.]

12/25

[khajidont]

[Underneath the tree at Heropa015 is a relatively small, badly wrapped present with Manolo's name on it. Once he rips it open, he'll find a thumb piano inside.

Since Jaime will be present for Christmas, he won't bother writing a note -- instead he'll just lean over and flick his thumb against one of the keys.

"It's a thumb piano, see? He'll say. "I can't exactly afford a real piano, but hey, maybe you'll figure out a thing or two with this little guy."

Later, he will live to regret this purchase, but the morning-of, he'll be pretty happy about it.]

FINALLY GETS AROUND TO THIS... they've been really busy okay!!

[akito]

Thanks for saving us from that building falling down, mister musician.
Sorry it took so long to say something!
I still can't remember anything from those few days so I didn't know what happened for a while...
Hopefully you got my xmas card for you!
And hopefully you had a good holiday and are all better from the fire.

Action; excellent huehue

[matadorable]

[♫His words continue to softly remind Kaneda: Don't worry about a thing, oh no! 'Cause every little thing's gonna be all right...♫

Eventually, the song seems to reach its natural conclusion. His singing tapers off, fingers growing still against the guitar's strings. Kaneda's genuine smile sends Manolo's eyebrows rising in surprise before his mouth curls into a closed-lipped smile of his own -- a bit shy, but delighted all the same.]

...How are your wounds?

[As much as he enjoys getting feedback on his work, that's the most important question in Manolo's mind at that moment.]

Action;

[rassera]

[It isn't until he hears the last strum of that guitar, Manolo's voice trailing off that he opens his eyes again, like he'd just woken up from a well deserved nap. Hell, he even felt a little more refreshed after that little piece, shoulders no longer having that dull ache from the lamppost that seemed to be knotting his shoulderblades, the cuts from the glass shards merely scratches now.

And as for the bruising on his stomach?

He lifts up that shirt again, peering over it to get a better look at--]

It's gone!!

Action;

[matadorable]

[Manolo definitely notices some of Kaneda's earlier tension is gone now, and he's warmed to see that the painful-looking bruise from earlier is no more. His smile becomes more relieved.]

Hey, that's great! I'm glad it's better.

Action;

[rassera]

[Kaneda can't believe it. Just a song was able to take away a bruise like that--Manolo wasn't kidding when he said his music healed the body and soul.

There's an utter of exclamation in Japanese as he lets the shirt fall down, hopping to his feet.]

You're amazing!

Action;

[matadorable]

[Manolo holds the guitar against himself, grin turning lopsided at the earnest praise. Even after seeing the things his music is capable of, both here and back home, he still just thinks of himself as a humble guitarrista from a small town.]

I'm just happy I could help you somehow, amigo.

Action;

[rassera]

[The response gets a little laugh out of him, hand going to his shoulder.]

Can you do more?

[Sorry, he's just...never heard that kind of music before. Healing powers or not...he loved the MUSIC too.]

Action;

[matadorable]

Of course. [Manolo doesn't miss a beat. He will never turn down a request for more music, although he initially assumes it's because Kaneda needs more healing.] Are you still hurting anywhere?

Action;

[rassera]

Hurting? I think you got everywhere...

[Wait, let him pat his butt--that's always sore when he's tossed arou--nope. All good.]

Nope!

Action;

[matadorable]

[He can't help laugh a little at that last sweep for injuries.] Good.

[Still, that means Kaneda wants to hear his music simply for its own sake -- which, as far as Manolo is concerned, is the highest compliment anyone can give him. At that realization, the warmth in Manolo's smile also shines in his eyes.

Leaning back against the wall now, he experimentally plucks at a few strings.]

What kinds of songs do you like?

Action;

[rassera]

[It's hard to describe what kind of songs he likes--he's only heard what's on a jukebox at a bar back home. He couldn't afford music of his own so...'80's Greatest Hits' is hard to sum up when the 80's were all you had.]

All kinds! As long as it can make you--

[There's a tiny shake of his hips and arms, feet pivoting in a little motion across the floor.

Yes, Manolo, he's a dancer.]